Big Star Chicago: Your Guide to the Best Tacos in Town

Craving authentic Mexican street food with a modern twist? Look no further than Big Star, a Chicago institution renowned for its vibrant atmosphere, delicious tacos, and extensive selection of tequilas and whiskeys. Located in the heart of Wrigleyville at 3640 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613, Big Star offers a lively and welcoming space perfect for a casual lunch, a fun dinner with friends, or a late-night bite. They’re open seven days a week, from 11:30 AM to 2:00 AM, ensuring you can satisfy your taco cravings almost any time. Need to get in touch? Get ready for a memorable culinary experience!

Menu Highlights

Tacos

• Taco de Panza: Crispy pork belly, salsa verde, pickled onion, cilantro—a flavor explosion!
• Taco al Pastor: Marinated pork shoulder, grilled pineapple, onion, cilantro, so juicy!
• Taco de Rajas: Roasted poblano peppers, queso fresco, corn, crema—vegetarian delight.
• Taco de Camaron: Grilled shrimp, chipotle mayo, cabbage slaw, pico de gallo – fresh taste
• Taco de Pescado: Crispy beer-battered tilapia, chipotle mayo, cabbage, pico – seafood bliss.
• Taco de Pollo: Shredded chicken tinga, queso fresco, crema, cilantro, smoky and delicious.
• Taco de Chorizo: Spicy Mexican sausage, potatoes, queso fresco, cilantro – flavorful filling.
• Taco de Hongos: Sautéed mushrooms, epazote, queso fresco, crema – earthy goodness!
• Taco de Lengua: Braised beef tongue, salsa verde, onion, cilantro – tender and savory.
• Taco de Barbacoa: Slow-cooked lamb, salsa borracha, onion, cilantro – melt-in-your-mouth flavor.

Vegetarian Tacos

• Taco de Papas: Crispy potato taco, salsa roja, queso fresco, lettuce – simple and satisfying.
• Taco de Calabaza: Roasted butternut squash, pepitas, mole amarillo – sweet and savory blend.
• Taco de Coliflor: Roasted cauliflower, tahini dressing, pickled onions – surprisingly delicious.
• Taco de Espinacas: Sautéed spinach, garlic, queso fresco, crema – healthy and flavorful choice.
• Taco de Frijoles: Refried black beans, queso fresco, crema, cilantro – classic and comforting.

Sides

• Elote: Grilled corn on the cob, mayo, cotija cheese, chili powder – a Mexican classic.
• Guacamole & Chips: Fresh avocado, lime, cilantro, served with crispy tortilla chips.
• Queso Fundido: Melted Oaxaca cheese, chorizo, poblano peppers, served with tortillas.
• Esquites: Corn kernels, mayo, cotija cheese, chili powder, lime – elote in a cup!
• Papas Fritas: Crispy french fries, served with chipotle mayo – perfect for sharing.

Desserts

• Churros: Crispy fried dough, cinnamon sugar, chocolate sauce – sweet indulgence.
• Flan: Creamy caramel custard, a classic Mexican dessert – rich and decadent.
• Tres Leches Cake: Sponge cake soaked in three milks, whipped cream – moist and delicious.
• Paletas: Mexican popsicles in various flavors – refreshing and flavorful.
• Arroz con Leche: Rice pudding, cinnamon, raisins – comforting and heartwarming.

Drinks

• Margaritas: Classic lime, strawberry, mango, and more – perfectly balanced and refreshing.
• Palomas: Tequila, grapefruit soda, lime – a tangy and bubbly delight.
• Micheladas: Beer, lime juice, hot sauce, spices – spicy and savory.
• Agua Frescas: Refreshing fruit-infused water – hydrating and flavorful.
• Mexican Coke: Made with real cane sugar – a classic soda with a unique taste.

Big Star boasts a rustic-chic interior, complete with picnic tables and string lights, creating a laid-back and fun atmosphere. The service is generally fast and friendly, adding to the overall positive experience. Prices are reasonable, especially considering the quality and portion sizes. Expect to spend around $15-$25 per person for a satisfying meal, including drinks. The vibe is energetic and social, making it a great spot for groups and those looking to mingle. Music is often playing, contributing to the lively ambiance. The space has both indoor and outdoor seating making it a perfect place all year around.

Conclusion

Big Star is a must-visit for anyone seeking authentic and delicious tacos in Chicago. Their **Taco al Pastor** and **Elote** are particularly famous and highly recommended. The restaurant appeals to a diverse crowd, from students and young professionals to families and tourists. If you’re looking for a fun, affordable, and tasty Mexican experience, Big Star is the place to be. I give it a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars! The vibrant atmosphere and exceptional food make it a standout in Chicago’s culinary scene.

Restaurant Planning Notes

This guide is designed to help readers compare Big Star Chicago vegan tacos in the local area with clearer visit planning, menu context, and practical ordering checks. Restaurant details can change quickly, so the final booking, menu, hours, and price details should always be confirmed through a current official source before visiting.

How to Use This Guide

Use this page as a starting point before you travel, book, or place an order. First, decide whether Big Star Chicago vegan tacos fits the occasion: a quick meal, a casual catch-up, a family dinner, a date night, takeaway, or a more planned restaurant visit. Second, compare the likely menu style with what your group actually wants. Third, confirm the live details that can change: opening hours, booking rules, menu availability, prices, service fees, dietary handling, and delivery coverage.

This matters because restaurant pages become outdated quickly. A static page can still help when it explains how to think about the menu, what to verify, and how to avoid common ordering mistakes. Treat this guide as an editorial checklist, then use the restaurant’s official website, booking page, social profile, or current delivery listing for final confirmation.

Practical Menu Notes

Big Star Chicago vegan tacos is best approached as a restaurant dining option. Readers should look for mains, shareable plates, drinks, desserts, and visit-specific menu choices. If the current menu is long, avoid choosing only by the first dish name you recognise. A better method is to compare the main categories, then choose one anchor item, one supporting item, and one side or drink that balances the meal.

For first-time visitors, start with the dish category the restaurant is most clearly known for, then add one balancing side. For groups, order across categories instead of choosing several similar dishes. That gives everyone a better sense of the restaurant and usually makes the meal easier to share. If you are ordering takeaway or delivery, choose items that travel well and keep sauces, toppings, or delicate sides separate where possible.

Real-World Visit Checks

• Check current hours: restaurant trading times can change by season, staffing, holidays, and private events.
• Check booking rules: popular venues may need reservations, deposits, seating limits, or cancellation notice.
• Check the latest menu: dishes, prices, lunch specials, tasting menus, and delivery options can change without warning.
• Check the location: restaurants with similar names, branches, or old listings can cause confusion in maps and delivery apps.
• Check value before ordering: compare portion size, sharing style, service fees, and delivery charges rather than looking only at headline menu prices.

Dietary and Allergy Notes

Do not rely only on a third-party guide for allergy, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, vegan, vegetarian, halal, or other dietary guarantees. Even when a menu item sounds suitable, preparation can involve shared fryers, shared utensils, dairy-based sauces, nuts, seafood, eggs, wheat, or other ingredients that are not obvious from a short menu title.

If a dietary requirement matters, ask the restaurant directly before ordering. Useful questions include whether the dish contains the ingredient, whether it is cooked on shared equipment, whether substitutions are possible, and whether staff can record the request clearly. That direct check is more reliable than assuming based on a menu category.

Editorial Note and Author Information

Author: MyReserveTable Editorial Team. This guide is prepared as a practical restaurant planning resource. Readers should confirm live restaurant details such as current menus, prices, hours, booking rules, and dietary handling directly with the restaurant before visiting or ordering.

Verification Notes

• Menus, prices, opening hours, bookings, delivery coverage, and dietary handling can change quickly.
• Before visiting, confirm current details through the restaurant’s official website, booking page, social profile, map listing, or current delivery listing.
• If two public sources disagree, prefer the newest official restaurant source.